Concierge dermatology · London
Private laser skin resurfacing in London, by a consultant dermatologist.
Fractional CO2, Er:YAG, Fraxel, picosecond, BBL — the platform is chosen to fit your skin type and what you actually want to fix, not the machine the clinic happens to own.
Why patients choose us
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A consultant dermatologist, not a laser tech
Not a beauty room. A GMC-registered dermatologist or BCAM practitioner picks the device, the depth and the number of passes for your skin.
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The right device for your skin type
Fractional CO2, Er:YAG, non-ablative 1550/1927, picosecond, BBL. We match the platform to your Fitzpatrick type and what you actually want to fix.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What private laser resurfacing costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three device options.
In short
Ablative fractional CO2 full face in our network: £1,500–£3,500, one treatment, 7–14 days downtime.
| Device / treatment | Indicative range | Typical duration | Recovery |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-ablative fractional (Fraxel 1550) | £600–£1,200 per session | 45 min | 3–7 days downtime |
| Non-ablative fractional (1927 / Clear+Brilliant) | £500–£950 per session | 30 min | 2–5 days downtime |
| Ablative Er:YAG resurfacing | £800–£2,000 per session | 45–60 min | 5–10 days downtime |
| Ablative fractional CO2 (full face) | £1,500–£3,500 single treatment | 45–60 min | 7–14 days downtime |
| Picosecond laser (PicoWay / PicoSure) | £350–£800 per session | 20–30 min | 1–3 days downtime |
| BBL / IPL (per area) | £150–£350 per area | 20–30 min | Minimal |
| Consultation only | £200–£400 | 30 min | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by device, by area treated (full face vs perioral vs neck), and by whether a course is required. Non-ablative platforms are almost always sold as a course of three to five sessions. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
The right device, the right depth, the right skin type.
The London laser market is crowded with clinics that own one machine and sell it to everyone. That is where results — and safety — go wrong.
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Not sure ablative is right?
For darker skin types or busy schedules, a course of non-ablative might get you 80% of the result with a fraction of the downtime.
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Worried about pigmentation?
PIH is the main risk in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. The right platform, priming and settings are the difference between a good result and a long recovery.
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Want a real result, not a facial?
A single well-planned ablative fractional treatment can outperform ten light non-ablative sessions — for the right patient.
The journey
From enquiry to final result — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review — including the priming period and the final photograph at three to six months.
Phase 1 · Before your treatment
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
A short visit
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what you want to fix
A short, confidential form. Skin type, main concern — photodamage, fine lines, scarring, pigmentation — and how much downtime you can spare.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: the right laser platform, ablative vs non-ablative, single session or a course, and an indicative price.
- 03
Before
Skin prep, four to six weeks
Retinoid priming, sun avoidance, and antiviral tablets started before facial resurfacing. Hydroquinone if you are at higher risk of pigmentation.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Consent, photographs, topical anaesthetic — or a nerve block and light sedation for deeper ablative work. Full eye protection throughout.
- 05
On the day
The treatment itself
A full face typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. The device, depth, density and passes are tailored to your skin.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
Cool packs, occlusive balm, written aftercare and a direct number. With sedation you will need someone to collect you.
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After
Recovery, review and results
Non-ablative: 3 to 7 days of pink, flaky skin. Ablative fractional: 7 to 14 days. Final result at 3 to 6 months as collagen remodels.
Typical prep: 4–6 weeks before treatment. Final result: 3–6 months, with collagen remodelling up to 12 months.
When it helps
When laser resurfacing is the right step.
The concerns we treat most, plus the one situation that means postponement — not negotiation.
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Photodamage and dyschromia
Sun-related pigmentation, lentigines and uneven tone — usually non-ablative fractional or BBL over a short course.
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Fine lines and mild wrinkles
Peri-oral and peri-orbital lines respond well to fractional CO2 or Er:YAG in a single, deeper treatment.
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Acne scarring
Atrophic, boxcar and rolling scars — usually fractional CO2 or Er:YAG. See our dedicated page for detail.
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Uneven texture and enlarged pores
A course of non-ablative 1927 or 1550 refines texture without the downtime of ablative work.
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Traumatic and surgical scars
Fractional CO2 to remodel mature scars — improves colour, texture and stiffness over 3 to 6 months.
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Pigmentation (cautious cases)
Melasma and post-inflammatory pigmentation are treated cautiously — picosecond or gentle non-ablative, never aggressive ablative.
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Actinic keratoses (medical)
Field-change sun damage on the face or scalp — ablative CO2 is an established medical treatment when clinically indicated.
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Red flag: active infection or recent isotretinoin
Cold sores, bacterial infection, or isotretinoin within six months mean the treatment must be postponed — not negotiated.
Device options
One laser does not fit everything.
What each platform on the table actually does — and which concern it suits.
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Ablative fractional CO2 (10600 nm)
Deepest resurfacing in one session. Best for wrinkles and scars in Fitzpatrick I–III. Seven to fourteen days of visible recovery.
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Erbium:YAG (2940 nm)
Ablative but shallower than CO2 — faster recovery, gentler heat, still a real result. Useful for lighter skin and mid-depth work.
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Non-ablative fractional 1550 (Fraxel)
Course of three to five sessions. Rebuilds collagen without breaking the surface. Suits Fitzpatrick I–IV and busy schedules.
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Non-ablative fractional 1927 (ThermageFLX Frax)
Targets pigmentation and superficial texture. Very short downtime, ideal for tone and photodamage.
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Clear + Brilliant (1440 nm)
A gentle, refresher laser — a course keeps skin smooth and even. Great entry point for younger or hesitant patients.
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Picosecond laser (PicoWay, PicoSure)
Ultra-short pulses for pigmentation, tattoos and gentle resurfacing. Safer across a wider range of Fitzpatrick types.
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BroadBand Light (BBL) / IPL
Not a laser, but the workhorse for redness, pigmentation and overall tone. Multiple short sessions.
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Fully ablative CO2 (historical)
The original resurfacing laser. Largely replaced by fractional CO2 because of long recovery and permanent hypopigmentation risk.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of dermatologists, we picked them.
Consultant dermatologists and BCAM doctors across central and west London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your skin.
Selection criteria
How we choose every dermatologist in our network.
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Consultant dermatologists or GMC-registered doctors on the BCAM register
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Multiple devices in-house — not a one-machine clinic pushing one answer
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Fitzpatrick-appropriate treatment plans, with priming for higher PIH risk
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Aciclovir prophylaxis and written aftercare for every facial resurfacing case
Safety and recovery
What to expect afterwards — honestly.
Modern fractional resurfacing is safe when the device fits the skin. The things worth planning are downtime, sun avoidance, and knowing what is normal healing vs a real complication.
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Prolonged erythema is common, not a complication
Pink or red skin for weeks after ablative fractional is normal — mineral SPF and gentle skincare see it through.
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Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH)
The main risk in Fitzpatrick IV–VI. Managed by device choice, priming with hydroquinone and cautious settings — never by wishful thinking.
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Cold-sore reactivation
Facial resurfacing can trigger HSV even without a history. Aciclovir tablets are started before treatment and continued for five days.
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Infection and milia
Small bacterial or fungal infections are uncommon and treatable. Tiny white cysts (milia) can appear during healing and settle on their own.
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Strict sun avoidance for eight to twelve weeks
Real SPF 50, hats, and no holidays in the sun during the recovery window. This is the single biggest thing you control.
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Final result at three to six months
Collagen remodelling continues for up to a year. The photo you take at week two is not the result.
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Scarring and hypopigmentation are rare
Modern fractional devices have made both uncommon. The historical fully-ablative CO2 stories belong to the 1990s, not to fractional today.
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Not for isotretinoin within six months
Skin does not heal normally after recent isotretinoin. We wait, we do not push through.
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Red flags
Spreading redness, fever, blistering beyond the treated area or persistent pain after 48 hours — call the clinic the same day.
Reading your treatment note
Your treatment note in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever device was used, the note the dermatologist sends you keeps to the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Laser parameters are precise and can read technically — we translate them for you.
If you would like us to talk you through the note before your review, just ask.
- 01 Header
Device, settings and indication
Which laser was used, the fluence, density and passes — and why: photodamage, scarring, texture, pigmentation.
- 02 Technique
Anaesthetic and priming
Topical, nerve block or light sedation; whether retinoid priming, hydroquinone and aciclovir were used.
- 03 Findings
Areas treated and Fitzpatrick type
Full face, perioral, periorbital, neck or décolletage — and the skin type on which the plan was built.
- 04 Impression
Recovery timeline and next steps
Read this first: expected downtime, sun-avoidance window, when to book the next session, when the final result is due.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover for laser resurfacing varies by insurer and by indication — usually funded when medically indicated (for example, actinic keratoses or significant scarring), self-pay for cosmetic cases. We confirm cover before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about laser resurfacing.
Quick answers on device choice, pain, cost, downtime and skin-type safety.
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What is laser skin resurfacing?
Controlled thermal energy is delivered into the skin to remove or heat the outer layers, triggering new collagen and a smoother, more even surface. Depending on the device it is either ablative (removes tissue) or non-ablative (heats without breaking the surface).
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Ablative or non-ablative — which is right for me?
Ablative fractional CO2 or Er:YAG gives the deepest result in a single treatment, with 7–14 days of visible recovery. Non-ablative 1550, 1927 or Clear+Brilliant needs 3–5 sessions but only 3–7 days of downtime and is safer for darker skin. Your dermatologist decides based on your Fitzpatrick type and goals.
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How much does laser resurfacing cost privately in the UK?
Fractional CO2 for a full face is typically £1,500–£3,500 as a single treatment. Fraxel non-ablative is £600–£1,200 per session over a course of 3–5. Er:YAG runs £800–£2,000 per session. BBL is £150–£350 per area. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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How long does the recovery take?
Non-ablative fractional: 2–7 days of pink, dry, flaking skin — most people are back at work within a week. Ablative fractional CO2: 7–14 days of oozing, crusting and marked swelling, then a longer pink phase. Strict sun avoidance for 8–12 weeks either way.
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Is laser resurfacing safe for darker skin (Fitzpatrick IV–VI)?
Aggressive ablative CO2 is not recommended for Fitzpatrick V–VI because of the risk of post-inflammatory pigmentation. Non-ablative 1927, picosecond and carefully chosen 1550 settings can be safe with the right practitioner and pre-treatment priming.
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Does it hurt?
Non-ablative treatments feel like hot pinpricks, controlled with topical anaesthetic and cold air. Ablative fractional needs a stronger topical, a nerve block, or light sedation for a full-face case. Afterwards it feels like sunburn for a day or two.
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When will I see the result?
Some smoothing appears within days. The real result — new collagen, softened lines, evened pigment — arrives at 3 to 6 months and continues improving for up to a year.
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Can laser treat melasma?
Cautiously. Melasma has a high rate of recurrence and can be made worse by the wrong device or setting. Non-ablative 1927 and picosecond are used gently, alongside sun avoidance and topical treatments — it is a chronic condition, not a one-visit fix.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
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Laser for acne scarring
Fractional CO2 and Er:YAG for atrophic and rolling scars.
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LED light therapy
Gentle red and blue light for inflammation and recovery.
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Laser hair removal
Long-term hair reduction — distinct from resurfacing.
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All tests and procedures
Every test and procedure we arrange.
Learn more
Nearby in the library